Walking in Andalucia

Walking in Andalucia

If you enjoy walking you will love walking in Andalucia our Hideaway offers superb views and many trails to explore.

Charco Azul

A lovely walk with a pool half way where you can swim. If you decide to return via the river bed a strong stick comes in useful.

Detail – walk downhill along the road to the concrete bridge.
To start your walk uphill along the road you can cut the corner of the first S-bend
by walking from the bridge through a few trees towards the first sharp bend and swinging your leg over the crash barrier. Otherwise, just follow the road uphill.
Continue up the hill for approximately 30 minutes until you see a sign on your right at the entrance to a track which says “No Tires Colillas” (don’t throw your cigarrette ends away).

In the summer a deadly forest fire could start from the smallest heat source. Go down the track keeping right at any sign of a junction.
After 15 minutes you come to a concrete bridge and on your right you will see a waterfall and a lovely pool. Even in August the pool is at least 5 feet deep below the waterfall. Have fun!

To return, either take the adventurous route or return the same way.
For adventurous walkers: from the concrete bridge follow the river bed downstream
(there is always water) and keep left when the river meets the river Almarchal.
At any convenient point climb up to your right (as you look downstream) some 20 metres and follow a small path West along the valley until you reach the first concrete bridge.

Head uphill back to Aldea de la Higuera. Jump in the pool to cool off.

Aldea de la Higueara Circuit

A lovely stroll along mostly level tracks. The last mile crossing and following the river is awkard and a strong stick comes in useful. An excellent walk to get to know the area. Approx. 3 hrs

Detail – walk downhill along the road to the concrete bridge.
To start your walk uphill along the road you can cut the corner of the first S-bend
by walking from the bridge through a few trees towards the first sharp bend and swinging your leg over the crash barrier. Otherwise, just follow the road uphill.

Continue up the hill for approximately 10 minutes past Diego the goatherder’s shack until you see a track on your right as you go round a left-hand hairpin bend.
Follow the track heading slightly downhill and ignore any signs saying private road.
Apparently, you are entitled to walk anywhere in Spain. After a while you will see Diego the goatherder’s shack across the valley on your right.
Continue on and you will see the villa across the valley below you. After another 10 minutes or so and past a cottage you will see a track on your left leading uphill.
Continue on the track without turning off and after some 50 yards on the left hand bend you will see a goat track heading downhill, roughly east.
Follow the track down to the bottom, untie the gate and re-tie it after you.
Then follow the river upstream and either find a way through vegatation up to the villa or continue upstream to the concrete bridge and head back to the villa on the road.

Algatocin Ridge

Excellent views all around along a high ridge with easy access. Some scrambling and a head for heights. Take plenty to drink. Half the ridge: 3.5 hours.

Detail – drive to Genaulguacil and follow the top road through the village. 5 kms after the village turn left down the hill to Venta Suan Juan.
Cross the river and follow the road up to Algatocin. Go through the village keeping left at the main square and after a steep right hand bend you come to a T-juntion. Turn right towards Ronda and park the car after approximately 2 kms.

Walk towards Ronda and when you see a roadside cafe on a left hand bend with a bus stop, take the min or road on the left leading steeply uphill towards the limestone rocks on the horizon. Keep to the track passing the sing which says “via ferrata” and then cross the dry-stone wall on a left hand bend in the track, heading straight for the rocks.
You can either climb the “via ferrata”, preferably with a harness and Karabiner, or walk around the base of the cliffs until you see a gully where you can scramble to the top.
From the top head north and then west to drop down to the lowest point on the ridge and then up to the next summit. To follow the ridge you have to decide which side is safest.
I started on the north side and switched to the south then back when the cliffs got too steep.
After a mile or so you can cross the ridge and head back down to the car or continue along the ridge to the village of Algatocin for a drink before walking back along the road to your car.
On you way back stop off at Venta San Juan in the valley between Algatocin and Genalguacil where there is a cafe and some excellent swimming places upstream.
You can walk in the river to a narrow section where you can jump off the cliffs into pools some 7 feet deep. Always dive down to check the depth before jumping.

Hideaway in Spain

Offering a self catering property in the most tranquil, peaceful hideaway located in the heart of the Andalucian coastal mountains.